Do you hate your job?

Whether you hate your job is often a question of attitude rather than because of the job itself. Work can keep us occupied for almost a third of our lives. What are you doing to yourself if you hate your job?

I am writing this from a relatively affluent point of view. Even with a downturn in the economy I still have a choice of jobs. As a consultant I have moved from one company to another over the last six years. Now I have found a company that I really like. I will stay where I am for quite a few years to come - if I have the choice.

My feelings about my job are governed by three main criteria.

The first relates to the work itself. The work must be interesting and challenging. There are times when some menial tasks have to be done. I do it. Some of these could have been given to a junior clerk, but what the heck! Simple repetitive tasks can be quite relaxing and therapeutic at times.

The second is about the people. If you find a job where you really get on with the people you have found a gem. Sometimes the work environment is like a family. You grow to care about your colleagues. You look forward to Monday mornings. If you have a psychopathic boss, then forget it! Find another job as soon as you can.

The third is about the money. Money can make a huge difference to your view of a job. If you are paid enough then almost any job becomes a pleasure to do. But for me a poorly paid job is just a non-starter. The financial stresses can outweigh the benefits of doing your ideal job.

When I was young I stopped short of following my dreams. My dream was to become a professional musician. I did show a lot of talent as a musician, but success in the music business is often dependent on other criteria. For every star there are 10,000 talented musicians battling to stay alive. SO I opted for a job in business. I have no regrets. My current view is that people must follow their dreams. If you are passionate enough, success should follow.

Very recently I have attempted to shift the focus of my career to writing. I have a number of blogs and write regularly. At the moment the earnings are enough to provide some pocket money from time to time. But the earnings are growing. My plan is to gradually increase my earnings from writing until this becomes my main source of income.

I don't hate my job. I enjoy the people, the money is adequate (but never enough!) and the work is interesting. In my spare time I write, have some academic involvement and run an occasional training course. Who could ask for anything more?

Will higher education or work experience get you ahead faster in your career?

A higher education is a key to success both within and outside of the corporate world. Some qualifications are highly sought after and rewarded. A professional degree is particularly valuable. An accounting degree leading to the professional chartered accountant qualification is particularly valuable. An MBA degree has been known to propel individuals from middle management to executive level in record time.

Work experience can and does help to move a career forward. Sometimes it is highly recognised, and there are times when an academic institution will award a degree for work experience. We've all heard about the office-boy that makes it to CEO, but this is the exception that proves the rule.

Education has almost become a necessity to advance a career. A bachelors degree, masters degree or MBA have become prerequisites for a range of jobs or occupations. A hundred years of working in the medical field is not enough to make you a doctor.

A friend and colleague worked his way through the corporate ladder to a position of Assistant General Manager over the course of twenty years. Once the company showed signs of being in trouble he was one of the first to be retrenched. He struggled to find alternative employment.

By contrast, an actuarial student entered the same business and even before completing the qualification began a rapid career rise. Within a year of qualifying, he was a general manager.

Of course a qualification in itself is no guarantee of career success. The corporate world is a very political place and you need to be a political player to climb the ladder. Other factors are at play. Performance on the job is crucial. But as a rule, those that are able to use their education effectively in their work are more successful than people that simply rely on work experience.

The value of education as a key to success is sharply evident when we look at the various professions - accountancy, law, actuarial science. A newly qualified chartered accountant can earn double the national average salary within two years of qualifying. Actuaries are amongst the highest earners in the world.

Perhaps the most important consideration is in the transferability of the skills. Twenty years experience and climbing the corporate ladder in one country does not make it easy to obtain another job. A professional qualification is a much greater help.